Electrolytic condenser



Nov. 28, 1939. J. A. PolTRAs v 2,181,607

ELECTROLYTIC CNDENSER Filed July 21, 1938 ATTORNEY 'Patented Nov. 28, 1939 l I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,181,607 ELECTROLYTIC CONDENSEB Joseph A. Poltras, Fort Lee, N. J., assignor to Solar Manufacturing Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation o! New York Application July 21, 1938, Serial No. 220,483

1o claims. (c1. 11s-315) l Thisinvention relates to electrolytic condensers, the vertical leg 22h of an L-shaped bracket 22, by

more particularly, to the anode terminal and the means of rivets or other fastening means 22o.

water-tight connection where the anode terminal The horizontal leg 22a ofthe bracket is secured, passes through the container wall. This applicaas by screw or pin 23e, to the top end of terminal 5 tion is a continuation-in-part oi my prior applistud 23. Interposed between the anode plate 30 5 cation Serial No. 55,330 tiled Dec. 20, 1935. An and the inside wall of container l0 is a perobject of the invention is to provide an anode forated, non-conductive lining 20 of a suitable terminal and water-tight sealing means where material, generally Celluloid, to keep the anode the terminal passes out of the container, which from contact with the container wall.

shall be oi' simple, inexpensive and durable con- The lower end of container l0 is formed with l0 struction, and one which will remain secure and a neck IBA, which is passed through the opening water-tight for the life of the condenser. Allied provided in the chassis frame 28; the outside to this object, is the devising of a method of oi neck IBA is threaded for the nut 21 by means making a satisfactory water-tight connection beof which the container may be securely clamped tween the anode terminal and the container, to the chassis 28. l

which shall comprise the minimum of steps and 4 Through the neck IDA is passed the aforewhich will quickly provide a tight connection at mentioned terminal stud 23 and a medium soft the lowest material and labor costs and one which rubber bushing 2l. The upper end of stud 23 is will result in an anode terminal connection which provided with a iiange or enlargement 23b which will remain secure and tight for indefinite periodsl overles the upper end of the rubber bushing. 20 oi time. A further object of this invention is to Against the lower end of the bushing is provided provide a terminal arrangement in which the a Bakelite or fibre washer 25 which also undermeans employed for holding the terminal in lies the lower end of container neck IDA. The place and making a water-tight connection at bottom of the container is slightly tapered IBB;

25 the container, serves also as the electrical terthe rubber bushing is provided at its upper end 25 minal connections. with a bead 24h which seats in the said tapered For the attainment of these and such other bottom IUB oi? the container. The rubber bushobjects as shall hereinafter appear or be pointed ing 24 is thus interposed between the flange 23h out, I have shown a number of embodiments oi of terminal stud 23 and the washer 25. Hence my invention in the accompanying drawing, by exerting pressure between the washer 25 and 30 wherein flange 23h of the stud, the soit rubber bushing Fig. 1 is a front view, partly in section, of an may be squeezed and expanded to form a waterelectrolytic condenser showing one form oi my tight packing between the terminal stud and the invention; Fig. 2 is a View of the lower portion container neck.

of the condenser, also partly in section; Fig. 3 Ihis squeezing pressure may be exerted on the 35 is a detail, in elevation, of the combined electrirubber bushing by forcing the terminal stud cal connector and ring member; Fig. 4 is a plan downwardly (as viewed in Fig. l) so that its view thereof; Fig. 5 shows in plan view another flange 24h is made to approach the washer 25 form of my invention; and Fig. 6, a sectional and thus expand the rubber bushing 24 there elevation, illustrates still another form oi my between. I am aware that it has been in the 40 invention. l past proposed to exert an expanding pressure The electrolytic condenser comprises a cylinupon a rubber packing or bushing to secure a drical container I0, the upper portion of which water-tight connection at the container neck, by

is contracted to form an inner bead or shoulder threading the protruding 'end of the terminal il, for the purpose of seating a lid I2. The sheet stud and screwing a nut or .the like thereon and of which the anode 30 is formed is a plate of thin pulling the nut on tight. It has also been proaluminum foil of different width according to posed to deformthe protruding end of the stud,

the predetermined capacity of the condenser and as by hammering it or flattening it to provide a provided with several parallel rows of holes 3l head thereon which was supposed to prevent reto ensure an even and Vuniform circulation of tractive movement of the stud and to result in a 50 gases and fluid through the 4 condenser. The water-tight connection. But such constructions sheet is bent upon itself to form a plurality of have proved unsatisfactory for a number oi folds or convolutions.' lThe endsof the perreasons, among which might be mentioned that Iorated and folded plate are brought to overthe connection does not remain water-tight lapping relation and the lapped ends secured to either by reason of the gradual loosening of the 55 nut, or because insumcient pressure had been than that used in previous designs, as the teroriginally exerted upon the rubber packing due minal itself becomes a solid unit, homogeneous to the di'iculty in maintaining the packing under with the anode stud. Moreover, there is elimipressure while the protruding end of the stud is nated aseparate member or members for the elec- 5 being deformed and the difficulty in deforming trical connection.

the stud close to the bushing, in which case there The lower taper o1' the terminal stud may be immediately results a looseness which soon deeliminated and the ring member secured to a velops into a leaky condition, which is then purely cylindrical stud, as shown in Fig. 5. The further aggravated by reason of the corrosive ring member 26, which is circularas shown in nature of the electrolyte. Also the provision of dot-and-dash lines-and of somewhat larger bore threads on the terminal stud causes a weakening than the stud 23', is slipped over the stud. After thereof and is especially bad because of the the parts are forced together for a water-tight corrosive electrolyte getting into, even in minute fit, as described with reference to Fig. 1, the ring quantities, the threads. member, which is made preferably of steel, is By my invention, I am able to obviate all yforced together between the pair of dies 40. Sumdiiliculties heretofore encountered, and to procient pressure is exerted between the dies to devide a connection which may be quickly and form the ring member 26 to the shape shown in cheaply made and which at the same time will the solid lines in Fig. 5. The stud 23' being made remain water-tight indefinitely. The protruding of a soft material, preferably aluminum, and end or shank 23a of the terminal stud is smooth the ring member being made of a much harder and is encircled by a ring member 26. Member substance, preferably steel, portions of the ring 26 is provided with a sleeve 26a, the bore of which become embedded in the stud to hold the two peris slightly greater than the diameter of the stud manently in place, as clearly shown in the figure. so that member 26 may be slipped thereon. The Instead of the long rubber bushing 24 shown 25 sleeve is provided with one or more crimped in Fig. 1-wh1ch would be used where the conpoints (preferably two, as shown) designated tainer is provided with a threaded neck which is 26e. 'Ihe method of forming the watertight held to the chassis by the provision of a cooperaconnection involves the pulling of the terminal tive nut as shown in Fig. 1 a rubber washer stud 23 downwardly (as viewed in Fig. 1), the 4|, see Fig, 6, may be used. In the form of the 30 stud being suiiiciently long to extend beyond the invention shown in Fig. 6, the container I0 has sleeve of the member 26 to provide an end which no neck portion; the condenser may be fastened may be conveniently grasped.' The member 26 is to the chassis (not shown) in any desired manmeanwhile held firmly against washer 25; the ner, such as by flange 42. Interposed between downward pull on the stud causes a squeezing the ilange 23h of the terminal stud 23 and the or expansion of the rubber bushing 24, as already oor of the container is a rubber washer 4|, explained. When the stud is in a. position exertthrough which the stud passes. 'I'he washer is ing sufficient compression upon the rubber bushprovided with a short hub 4Ih which encircles ing, the ring member is secured to the studthe stud and which is interposed between the stud maintaining the bushing under compressionby and the edge of the terminal hole in the floor 40 pinching in the two crimpings 26c to grip the of the container, to serve as an electrical insulastud. Thereafter the length of the stud extendtion between the stud and condenser container. ing beyond the sleeve of the ring member may be f 'I'he Bakelite washer 25 is placed V on the outcut oi. side of the container and the ring member 26 The terminal stud is provided with a double slipped over the protruding portion of the stud. taper, clearly shown in Fig. 1, the upper portionl Which, incidentally, is considerably shorter than of the stud being downwardly tapered 23X to the stud 23 used in the construction of Fig. 1. waist line 23w and the lower portion being up- After the parts are forced together to form a wardly tapered 23Y to the waist line. The lower Water-tight seal as already described, the ring taper 23Y is preferably of less degree than the member is secured to the stud either in the manupper taper 23X. The purpose of the lower taper ner 0f Fig- 1 0r 0f Fig. 5. If desired, the con- 23Y is to provide an appropriate abutting surdenser may be fastened 't0 the vChet'SSS by nterface against which the ring member, after having posing the latter between the Bakelite washer been crimped or pinched together at 26o, may 25 and ring member 26. but this Would require jam or be clamped and held under the expansive that the condenser be attached to the chassis pressure exerted by the compressed rubber bushbefore the condenser is sealed by the securement ing 24. 'I'he upper taper 23X'is provided to inof the ring member to the terminal stud. crease the outwardly-expansive squeezing of the 01811111 rubber bushing to further ensure its efliciency as 1- In an eleCtIOiytC Condenser 0f the type a water-tight packing, wherein the container is provided with an opening 30 The taper 23Y may be made elliptical or nonat one end, the combination of a rubber bushing circular, see Fig. 4, so that in crimping the ring received in the Said Container Opening and promember 26 to the anode stud 23, the sleeve 26a vided at its upper end With e bead, an anode thereof will become deformed to a non-circular Spindle passing through the inner bore 0f the said shape, and would thus be prevented from turnbushing and PrOVded at its Upper end with a '65 ing on the stud or spindle 23. flange, means for applying pressure to the said A further aspect of this invention is the com- Spindle t0 Cause its Sad ange end t0 abut bining of the electrical binding or soldering post against the Said beaded end 0f the bushing t0 of the anode terminal with the water-tight packcompress the same, and means for maintaining ing means. This I achieve by* providing on the the bushing in compressed condition.

7o said clamping ring member 26 a pair of arms 26h 2. A combined terminal and clamping member (or a single arm, if preferred) perforated and for an electrolytic condenser of the type which adapted to be. used for soldering or bolting elecincludes a container provided with an opening passage for the said spindle, said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling the said spindle and formed with a crimped'portion to clamp the said ring at a point on the spindle compressing the said resilient member to form a water-tight connec- Lion, the lower portion of the anode spindle being upwardly tapered to provide an abutting seat for the said ring.

3. A combined terminal and clamping member for an electrolytic condenser o! the type which includes a container provided with an opening at one end through which the anode spindle projects and a resilient member passing through the said container opening and provided with a passage for the said spindle, said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling the said spindle and formed with a crimped portion to clamp the said ring at a point on the spindle compressing the said resilient member to form a water-tight connection, the lower portion of the anode spindle being upwardly tapered to provide an abutting seat for the said ring, and the said tapered portion of the anode spindle being non-circular whereby the clamped ring is prevented from turning on the spindle.

4. A combined terminal and clamping member for an electrolytic condenser of the type which includes a container provided with an opening at one end through which the anode spindle projects and a resilient memberfpassing through the said container opening and provided with a passage for the said spindle, said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling the said spindle, the lower portion of the said spindle being provided with an upwardly directed taper cooperative with the said ring member to maintain the said resilient member in compressed condition exerting a downward pressure against the ring member.

5. A combined terminal and clamping member for an electrolytic condenser of the type which includes a container provided with an opening at one end through which the anode spindle projects and a resilient member passing through the said container opening and provided with a passage for the said spindle, said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling the said spindle, the lower portion of the said spindle being provided with an upwardly directed taper against which the said ring member seats, and the upper portion of the spindle being provided with a downwardly directed taper whereby the said compressed resilient member exerts an outward expansive pressure to form a water-tight connection.

6. A combined terminal and clamping member for an electrolytic condenser of the type which includes a container provided with an opening at one end through which the anode spindle projects and a resilient member passing through the said container opening and provided with a passage for the said spindle, said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling thev said spindle, the lower portion of the said spindle being provided with an upwardly directed taper cooperative with the said ring member to maintain the said resilient member in compressed condition exerting a downward pressure against the ring member, an integral portion of the said ring member being formed as an electrical terminal post.

7. In an electrolytic condenser of the type Y wherein the container is provided with an opening at its bottom end, the combination of a rubber bushing received in the said container opening and provided at its upper end with a bead, the s portion of the bottom of the container bordering its said opening being tapered to underly the said beaded end of the rubber bushing, an anode spindle passing through the inner bore of the sad bushing and provided at its upper end with a iiange, means for applying pressure to the said spindle to cause its said flange end to abut against the said beaded end of the bushing to compress the same, and to seat the beaded end of the bushing in the said tapered portion of the container bottom. y

8. A combined terminal and clamping member for an electrolytic condenser of the type which includes a container provided with an opening at its bottom through which the anode spindle projects and a resilient member passing through the said container opening and provided with a passage for the said spindle. said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling the said spindle, the said anode spindle being headed and the said resilient member being interposed between the head of the spindle and the container bottom, the said ring member being adapted to clamp the spindle at a point compressing the said resilient member to form a water-tight seal.

9. A combined terminal and clamping member for an electrolytic condenser of the type which includes a container provided with an opening at its bottom through which the anode spindle projects and a resilient member passing through the said container opening and provided with a passage for the said spindle, said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling the said spindle, the said anode spindle being headed and the said resilient member being interposed between the head of the spindle and the container bottom, the said ring member being adapted to clamp the spindle at a point compressing the said resilient member to form a water-tight seal, an integral portion o! the said ring member being formed as an electrical terminal post.

l0. A combined terminal and clamping member for an electrolytic condenser of the type which includes a container provided with an opening at its bottomthrough which the anode spindle projects and a resilient member passing through the said container opening and provided with a passage for the said spindle, said combined terminal and clamping member comprising a ring member encircling the said spindle, the said anode spindle being headed and the said resilient member being interposed between the head oi the spindle and the container bottom, the said ring member being adapted to clamp the spindle at a point compressing the said resilient member to i'orm a water-tight seal, the said resilient member being provided with a hub portion interposed between the said anode spindle and the edge of the container bottom to aiiord an electrical insulation between the anode and the container.

JOSEPH A. POITRAS. 

